Florida Realtors® News

UF: Consumer confidence in Florida jumps three points in May

Wed, 30 May 2012 11:47:49 +0500

UF: While national confidence dropped a bit, it rose nine points in Fla. year-to-year and three points since April.

Pending home sales down in April but up strongly from a year ago

Wed, 30 May 2012 11:49:21 +0500

NAR: Pending sales index at 95.5, down 5.5% from March but up 14.4% from year ago and housing recovery remains on track.

Struggling homeowners worry about mortgage relief help

Tue, 29 May 2012 14:14:01 +0500

Survey: Some struggling owners don't seek help because they're scared of scams and afraid aid will cost them money.

Hurricane season: One week to go

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:05:16 +0500

The good news: Only 1 to 3 major storms expected. The bad news: It only takes one. Be prepared.

Foreclosed owners could get free review

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:04:48 +0500

Some foreclosed owners from 2009-2010 may qualify for money. A new video from Fed explains why and offers help.

NAR: Increase in commercial transactions, income

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:48:18 +0500

NAR: 2011 commercial member profile finds return to profitability; median income up about $10K per member over 2010.

Government: First house price increase since 2007

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:17:44 +0500

Fed index that looks at same-home resales finds 0.6% increase in 1Q 2012 - first yearly rise in 5 years. Fla. up 4.7%.

10% of bank settlement not going to homeowners

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:20:04 +0500

Fla. A.G. Bondi hasn't announced plans for 90% of $334M bank foreclosure money, but 10% will help run state government.

Realtors support workforce housing solutions

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:06:04 +0500

Realtors with an effective EAH program (employer assisted housing) start by forging relationships and building trust.

Fla.'s housing market continues positive signs in April 2012

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:17:03 +0500

Single-family prices rose 10.2%, condos 16.1%; pending sales higher. NAR: Sales up 3.4% over March; 10% over year ago.

NAR: April existing-home sales up, prices rise again

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:18:37 +0500

Lack of capital hinders commercial market

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:59:15 +0500

NAR: Modest growth and hopeful signs seen, with faster improvement restrained mainly by tight lending standards.

Future of U.S. housing market? Echo boomers

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:00:09 +0500

Where should you focus marketing efforts? On adults 17-31, say experts on NAR panel discussing "shifting demographics."

Next president to figure out Fannie, Freddie

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:20:10 +0500

What's the best way to keep mortgage market humming? NAR wants gov't to hold onto Fannie and Freddie; others disagree.

Fixed mortgage rates hit record lows again

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:24:13 +0500

The 30-year FRM dropped to 3.79%, the 15-year FRM hit 3.04%, and ARMs averaged 2.83%, says Freddie Mac.

HUD: Counseling helps families own homes

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:46:01 +0500

Potential buyers who understand the process and what ownership entails tend to have fewer problems after the closing.

Sellers' do-it-yourself home staging tips

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:30:20 +0500

Pulte says it identifies likely buyers and makes model homes appeal to their taste. Home sellers can do the same thing.

Housing affordability reaches record in first quarter

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:32:49 +0500

NAR President Moe Veissi: "We've never seen better housing affordability conditions or market opportunities."

Florida's Realtors advocate for homeownership in nation's capital

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:30:22 +0500

Realtors gathered by Washington Monument this morning. Their message to lawmakers: Protect the American Dream.

Gov. leading Spanish biz development mission

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:59:58 +0500

Florida Realtors Pres. Summer Greene and V.P. John Sebree will court companies interested in Fla. real estate deals.

U.S. housing market finally reaches a turning point

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:54:35 +0500

New institute formed by The Conference Board and Nielsen predicts investor demand for rentals will drive recovery.

BofA announces new short sale incentive

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:03:56 +0500

Short sale sellers can get $2,500 to $30,000, depending on home's appraised value, if closing occurs before Sept. 26.

UF: Fla. real estate pros optimistic in 1Q

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:58:00 +0500

Measure of commercial brokers' attitudes hits highest level since 2007, boosted by employment gains and lease signings.

Group hopes to standardize real estate terms

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:55:37 +0500

What's the difference between "ranch," "rambler" or "single story"? RESO hopes all agents will use similar descriptions.

New Realtor.com TV channel to reach 55 million households

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:47:42 +0500

Site says 55 million households can access local home listings and focus on a specific home with a click of the remote.

HUD: $4M to fight Fla. housing discrimination

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:32:47 +0500

HUD: Grants for eight Fla. groups will enforce the Fair Housing Act through investigations and education.

Do-not-call rules apply to foreclosures

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:34:07 +0500

Owners in the foreclosure process still have do-not-call rights, and Realtors must follow all federal and state rules.

NAR advocates for flood insurance before Senate committee

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:07:22 +0500

Pres. Moe Veissi tells committee it's critical to implement a long-term extension before May 31 program expiration date.

New Fla. web page explains septic tank law

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:30:55 +0500

Does Fla.'s 2012 septic tank inspection law apply to your clients' homes? New DOH webpage answers most questions.

NAR: 1Q sales up, inventory down

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:34:57 +0500

59% of 146 areas tracked by NAR showed a year-to-year price increase. In 4Q 2011, only 20% showed similar improvement.

Guidance on 'green' real estate valuation

Tue, 08 May 2012 13:33:48 +0500

How much are "green" home features worth in determining value? Appraisal Institute issues new guidelines.

Despite slow job growth, consumers feel even better about ownership

Tue, 08 May 2012 13:34:56 +0500

Despite slow job growth, attitudes about homeownership, the economy and personal finances continue to improve.

Florida Realtors: Spend $100M on workforce housing

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:12:10 +0500

Florida Realtors and coalition of housing groups want $100M of mega-bank settlement added to Fla. housing trust fund.

Flood insurance will cost more after Oct.

Fri, 04 May 2012 15:05:09 +0500

Money-losing fed program will increase rates an average 5% and nix rebates that some insurers currently offer clients.

Fla. second-best U.S. state for business

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:10:11 +0500

Annual CEO survey finds that only Texas is better for taxes, workforce quality, regulations and other criteria.

Commercial and construction rebounds in 2011

Wed, 02 May 2012 14:16:29 +0500

NAIOP study: 2011 first year for gains since recession began; spending up 12%; 2.5% more space; room for 610K more jobs.

National flood insurance program ends day hurricane season starts

Wed, 02 May 2012 14:20:15 +0500

NFIP ends May 31 as group campaigns for long-term extension; but 30-day coverage delay means owners should sign up now.

Is Fla.'s shadow inventory a rebound threat?

Tue, 01 May 2012 15:05:51 +0500

Florida Realtors analysis: Shadow inventory growth seems to be slowing, and an uptick in demand should absorb supply.

Keeping a home in ready-to-sell condition

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:21:24 +0500

Owners get used to a home's flaws, but buyers see each one. UF guide helps sellers pinpoint areas that need attention.

Latest lead generation tool: Geomarketing

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:27:22 +0500

Using GPS and app technology, agents can target smartphone ads to people who are actively shopping in their farm area.

March pending home sales rise, market recovering

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:16:55 +0500

NAR: March saw 23-month high for U.S. homes under contract - 4.1% over Feb. and 12.8% over March 2011.

Citizens ponders but ultimately declines to raise rates significantly for new buyers

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:44:31 +0500

Pressured to boost rates, Fla.'s insurer considered higher fees for new buyers only; didn't make significant changes.

Now free to sign onto Fla. do-not-call list

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:51:03 +0500

More state residents expected to sign up; real estate licensees could be charged fees for calling any number on list.

Coral Springs Realtorandreg; campaigns for 2016 NAR presidency

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:08:22 +0500

Support visa bills, expand flood insurance to other disasters, says Tom Salomone, a Florida Realtors' advocate at NAR.

Low-ball offers don't work anymore

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:27:03 +0500

Some buyers think low offers work because Fla. has so many foreclosures, but learn they're wrong by losing a dream home.

Fla. unemployment drop best in 20 years

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:33:17 +0500

State dropped from a 9.4 rate of unemployment to 9.0 in March, adding 10,800 jobs - and more potential homebuyers.

Buyers: It's time to commit

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:01:49 +0500

If one should "buy low, sell high," then secure property now. Listen to interview with Fla.'s Moe Veissi and forward it.

Coastal construction now costs more

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:03:20 +0500

Fla.-owned Citizens no longer sells construction insurance, and buyers pay up to four times more for private coverage.

Fla.'s housing market shows positive trends in March

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:51:11 +0500

Single-family sales prices up 10.3%, condos up 20.8%; pending sales up. NAR: Sales up 5.2% over year ago, down from Feb.